Guardian angel: Mardan’s sole orphanage strives to keep its children

After 75 years of existence, the centre has no formal funding.

PESHAWAR:

The Anjum Sarhadi Orphanage was established in 1938. Seventy-five years later, it remains the only orphanage in Mardan district.

With a growing number of terrorist attacks and inflation, the orphanage has been overburdened in recent years. Located on Shamsi Road, the centre celebrated its platinum jubilee this month with its 10 members and 80 resident students.

The single-storey building with 10 small rooms is one of the few functional centres in the country. The building was established by Qazi Abdul Akbar Khan Ghazi, who was a proud holder of a gold medal for ‘Unsung Heroes of Independence’ that was awarded to him on August 14, 2001 by the governor.



His orphanage provides lodging for boys only. The departments include Madrassa Taleemul Quran, Darul Atfal and Darul Iqama. A library, clinic and computer laboratory are part of various facilities offered.

The upper storey is used for residential purposes by the president and administrator of the centre, Qazi Muhammad Saqlain. The ground floor is used by students.

“Over the past six years, the government has not provided any funds or support to the orphanage,” said Saqlain, adding the government’s social welfare department gave them Rs4,000 nearly 13 years ago. “Earlier the district zakat committee would give Rs60 per child, but this too stopped after 2007.”

The building cannot accommodate more than 80 students at a time. Each room is shared by eight students. “A large number of children come for admission every week. Their numbers are drastically rising due to an increase in terrorism incidents,” he said.

Due to financial constraints, the centre has had to cut down on many of its expenses. Initially they could provide for education until a graduate degree. “Now the situation has changed. We cannot afford to teach them beyond matriculation,” he added.

At present, the funds donated are spent on food, clothing, medical expenses, pocket money for the children, and the building’s maintenance, among other things.



Vice President and Accounts Manager Haji Fazal Kareem said children are faced with a multitude of problems while the spike in crime has really increased the burden on them.

He also lamented that no one from the government has advanced their cause although they are an apolitical organisation. “It is our strict policy to stay away from politics,” he said, adding the institution is in need of help and more donations.

“It is difficult to run an institution like this without proper funding. The donations are insufficient to meet the growing expenses,” said Kareem. But despite being overstretched by the lack of funds, pursuing the mission has its own feeling of satisfaction.

“My father died when I was four-years-old so my mother left me here,” said Shah Sawar. The child is now in grade 6 and hopes to become a doctor when he grows up. “The administration takes care of us like our parents would. I feel at home.”

The centre proudly shares details of the exemplary alumni who graduated from here and are serving the country in different capacities.



Among their 240 graduates, some of the prominent people are lieutenant colonel (retd) Faridullah, Mardan National Bank Manager Behramand, Government Postgraduate College principal (retd) Fazal-e-Azeem and Government High School Saidu Sharif principal (retd) Abdul Kamal, among others.

Qazi Saqlain said the centre needs around Rs5 million to expand the building to cope with the increasing number of children. In his tenure, former chief minister (CM) Ameer Haider Khan Hoti donated Rs1 million from his funds.

The centre has around 150 donors and monthly expenses amount to nearly Rs400,000.

Special Assistant to the CM on Social Welfare Mehr Taj Roghani said they have held meetings to gather data from all non-governmental organisations and social welfare associations, including orphanages, and are working on a strategy to provide support. “The Mardan orphanage is on our priority list. We will visit the institute soon to discuss all their issues.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2013.